FWCS gets fired up for cold weather

The city got a sneak peak of winter this week with snow flurries around, a stark reminder that colder days are ahead. In preparation, Fort Wayne Community Schools' Maintenance and Operation staff has been working in the buildings for several weeks getting the heating systems ready. For the older systems, that means cleaning and making any necessary repairs to the boilers so they are ready to be fired up. The newer systems take less preparation but still must be checked so any necessary repairs can be made.
Here are some additional facts:
Harrison Hill Elementary School
• Age of building: 84 years
• Age of boiler: 22 years
• Type of system: Steam heating
FWCS
• Number of school buildings: 53
• Number of heating systems past life expectancy: 18
• Number of heating systems replaced in the last five years: 3 full system replacements; 91 boilers replaced
• Number of heating systems to be replaced in the next year: 0 full replacement; boiler only - Croninger, Glenwood Park, Price and Scott
• Estimated cost to replace Harrison Hill system: $3,931,021 (2008 construction cost)

With nearly 30,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is one of the largest school districts in Indiana. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 50 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as science and math, communication, fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level. In high school, students can choose from the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way or New Tech Academy as well as other rigorous academic and specialty training programs.